USPTO to Issue Electronic Trademark Registration Certificates Starting June 7

Continuing its efforts to move to full electronic processing of trademark applications and registrations, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will begin issuing electronic trademark registration certificates beginning June 7, 2022.

This change was first reported in the Federal Register in December 2021, but at that time no date for implementation had been determined. The USPTO stated that it would provide 30 days notice before moving to electronic issuance, and the June 7 date was formally announced on May 2.

Upon issuance, the electronic registration certificate will be the official document for registering a trademark. While the electronic registration certificate will make it easier for business owners to file trademark registrations, there are several changes that business owners need to keep in mind.

  • The USPTO will upload the official registration to its Trademark Status and Document Retrieval (TSDR) database, so it will be easily searchable immediately upon issuance.
  • An electronic notice will be emailed to the trademark owner, as well as all email addresses of record, which will include a link to access the certificate electronically.
  • Using the emailed link, trademark owners will be able to view, download, and print a complete copy of the registration certificate at any time for no additional charge.
  • Although no trademark registrations will be issued on paper automatically, trademark owners will still be able to order a one-page condensed version of the issued registration that will be suitable for framing. The fee for this service is $25 per copy.

In addition to reducing the USPTO’s use of paper, which will both cut its costs and help the environment, the agency states that this move is being made based on the feedback they have received from applicants indicating a strong preference for electronic certificates.

To learn more about how the team at Ference & Associates can help business owners apply and protect their trademark, please reach out today to contact@ferencelaw.com or call us at 412.741.8400.